Living for a cause

This November marks three years since I was appointed Executive Director of Greenpeace International. Coming to Greenpeace represented an opportunity for me to actually be part of an organisation that has taken, and continues to take a leadership role in warning about the dangers of environmental destruction and climate change.

Greenpeace is a movement that has consistently campaigned through non-violent direct actions; and, at a time when civil disobedience appears to be the only way we can actually push our governments, Greenpeace’s way of working offers us the most promise.

We remain an evolving organisation, however, and as I reflect on almost three years in office, I would like to share with you some insights into what I think Greenpeace means today.

I'd like you to consider a different side of Greenpeace – the side that I’ve come to know. To do this, today I’m also launching a series of occasional web videos as part of new series called ‘Living for a Cause.’

In it, I present an ‘insider’ view of Greenpeace, aimed at people who know of us, but perhaps haven’t thought about becoming involved with us. I'm also reaching out to people who may have dismissed us in the past.

I’m inspired daily by the passion and ambition of Greenpeace activists – our most public face – but also by the many ‘behind-the-scenes’ individuals who help make our organisation operate smoothly.

After starting my new role with Greenpeace I was surprised to see that many of my pre-conceptions about this organisation did not hold true – and it’s this surprise that I wanted to share more widely.

Whether it’s the image of the ‘hippy activist’ with a heavy beard, or the ‘left-wing anarchy’ for which we are often typecast, on almost every front my perceptions of Greenpeace have been challenged.

We live in a world today that’s seen first hand the failure of the multilateral process at events like Rio+20, the strengthening grip of corporate interests in the political arena and the shrinking democratic space around civil society movements.

All of which calls for a different kind of activism. As an organic, international organisation, Greenpeace is well-placed to meet those challenges. In fact, in the past three years, we’ve changed much about the way we campaign, and how we organise ourselves.

Shifting resources

One of the most significant shifts is on a policy level, where we acknowledge the growing importance of the Global South.

We are increasingly focusing resources on countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the so-called ‘BRICS,’ and in my time these are where some of our most proud campaign highlights have come from.

In China, where it is not easy for an organisation like ours to operate, our global “Detox” campaign has been successful in securing commitments from global corporations including Nike, Adidas and H&M, plus the largest Chinese Sportswear brand Li-Ning.

These international brands are now taking responsibility for their supply chains and working with suppliers to eliminate the use and release of all hazardous chemicals from their production processes and products by 2020.

This will have a profound impact on the rivers, lakes and waterways in large manufacturing countries like China.

In the wake of the March 2011 earthquake and resulting nuclear disaster, our nuclear team’s network of trained radiation specialists investigated, documented and exposed the extent of radioactive contamination beyond the so-called exclusion zone.

They provided independent information to a frightened public, forcing the relevant authorities to improve protection measures.

Increasingly, we are also focusing on corporate responsibility and in Indonesia, we have campaigned against multinational companies that have been linked to deforestation.

Thanks to pressure from our supporters, companies such as Nestle and Mattel have changed their sourcing policies to help protect Indonesia's rainforests and peatlands.

Peaceful confrontation

Although we’ve changed in many aspects, Greenpeace is still an organisation that speaks truth to power.

Although we prefer dialogue, we’re not afraid to peacefully confront destructive industries and create urgency for action.

Last year, when I boarded Cairn Energy’s Leiv Eiriksson oil rig off the coast of Greenland – and was later arrested – I took with me a petition signed by 50,000 supporters from around the world.

By contrast this year, as part of the Save the Arctic campaign, we have collected more than 1 million signatures from people who support our call for a ban on offshore oil drilling in the Arctic.

This is a clear signal that more and more people are losing faith in their government’s abilities to lead, and why organisations like Greenpeace remain important today.

If you’re not a supporter already, I urge you to reconsider.

Although we appreciate financial support, we also increasingly seek ‘social’ support through the many online campaign activities we run.

Your commitment will ultimately bring rewards and there is nothing more rewarding than a life spent living for a cause.

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

(Unregistered) hibiscus
says:

i am sad that this so say "greensaviour" spends so much time and energy attacking …if your concerned about environmental issues why not get ...

i am sad that this so say "greensaviour" spends so much time and energy attacking …if your concerned about environmental issues why not get out and do something useful rather than in fighting. this sort of attacking our own is what makes us weak .. use your anger towards those who are polluting and governments. you obviously have a lot of passion …use it for good!

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

(Unregistered) greenisjustacolor
says:

I'm not taking the defense of greensavior, he obviously don't need it, but i don't think the "if you don't like it, go do your ow...

I'm not taking the defense of greensavior, he obviously don't need it, but i don't think the "if you don't like it, go do your own thing" is a good argument.

It is well known that civil society is not a champion of self-criticism. Yet we'd have to demonstrate greenpeace is an actor of the civil society which is not that obvious. You can't deny that greenpeace has changed. I totally agree the need to protect the planet but in many ways, greenpeace has chosen strategies i don't agree with.

The Apple campaign, Volkswagen campaign, Facebook campaign, Mattel campaign are led in a way that can expose the ecologist movement to serious backdrafts in long term. More and more, in the lines written, i read that greenpeace as it gains professional competences is also more and more empty in its message.

They are not so much difference between greenpeace and a greenbusiness company has time goes. And this is a weakness. With the economy crisis, no doubt that greenpeace will loose many donators. It will loose all the more donator than the message cast is less and less relevant, deeply thought.

You can't sink a rainbow but a company sinks by itself. I use to keep my mouth shut because of the weakness thing your talking about but these growing critisms, sometimes pretty acurate, don't grow without reasons. Greenpeace is not a model of democraty, it is its strength as is its weakness. When you help to build something in a way or another and your seeing what you help to build taking a direction that you feel is dangerous, it is a duty to disobey wether it is greenpeace or else. And eachtime an NGO loose a forerunner it loose a bit of its spirit. What is more important than Fighting spirit, independant thinking especially in Greenpeace.

For me, the Apple, Volkswagen campaign are weak campaigns. The methodology chosen open backdoors to a way of thinking that erase the benefice of any victories. Plus all the geekery GP are joyfully in.

You're positioning yourself as heroes, drawing more and more mercenaries who just want to be with the nice guys. But with their competence coming from the world of oppressors you darken yourself a little more each day killing your potential that many brave warriors had contribute to fuel.

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

(Unregistered) greenisjustacolor
says:

As our world is growing more violent, even in a non violent way because you can lead somebody to suicide just by talking.
What places are left ...

As our world is growing more violent, even in a non violent way because you can lead somebody to suicide just by talking.
What places are left to those left in the sides of road of Power?
What places are left to those who had forged their arrows in ecologist battles?
What places are left to those who had not learnt their skills among the oppressors?
What places are left to those more able than anybody to rise a hope from the ground?

Dont be surprised if we are not children enough to trust and help the first arrogant smooth talker who made itself in the good way of the wind. We sailed to much to know that it changes its direction fast enough.

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

Morten Rasmussen
says:

@ Green Savior:

1. If you take a bit of time to look at Greenpeace Internationals website, you can see what work is being done in variou...

@ Green Savior:

1. If you take a bit of time to look at Greenpeace Internationals website, you can see what work is being done in various countries. That way, you will not need to fill this space up with questions about it.

2. Before you go on criticizing Dr. Naidoo and others for not doing enough, could you please enlighten all of us and tell us what YOU have done? I can only assume that you must have an impressive track record, since you can allow yourself to be so critical of others?

Please stick to what I have posted, without drawing conclusions about my person, my political views or any other irrelevant topics.

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

(Unregistered) Greenisjustacolor
says:

Greenpeace carry a hope bigger than the organisation itself, it was made of battles, sacrifices, difficult decision, blood, tears and smiles. My eyes ...

Greenpeace carry a hope bigger than the organisation itself, it was made of battles, sacrifices, difficult decision, blood, tears and smiles. My eyes see a company taking a dangerous path but my heart believe we never needed hope as we need it now and that spirits of the forunner still resides in a forgotten corner of few warriors on board waiting to respring. This day, you'll have my bow, for now i don't fully trust this big green boat.

As I said plenty times before: Skysails is a masterpiece of Greenwashing - financing ships worth billions in the name of global wariming - the drama related to the Beluga Shipping one of the bigger financial scandals in German history

So what have I done? I am not an army having gotten a 30 Million USD warship - but I have delivered one of the best pictures for years...many journalists where present at christening of Rainbiow Warrior...they all have this picture in their head/camera.

I hope you like it aswell... by the way, courtcase will be in September

Thanks in advance...always post on DOCTOR Naidoo's most recent blog so I find your comment!

Post a comment

OPTIONAL: Register to avoid filling out forms each time you post a comment
Sign Up Here
login via Facebook or Google

(Unregistered) GREEN Savior
says:

Yes Kumi-baby,

more elbow...you are an experienced warrior -- as we all know you had plenty of opportunity to train your skill during Ant...

Yes Kumi-baby,

more elbow...you are an experienced warrior -- as we all know you had plenty of opportunity to train your skill during Anti-Apartheid-struggle...;)

To be honest, I didn't get the impresssion you are lacking any sort of self-assertion to enforce your causes.

You are in permanent need of stages to put yourself in scene.

You kick any Rainbow Warrior away, no more pictures of environmenal activists fighting for what they believe in...only Kumi climbing an oil-rig, Kumi going to conferences, Kumi giving Chandia the word, Kumi talking to Putin...

Baby, if Kumi is of an introverted personality with a lack of elbow I will not be the next CEO of GPI.

Sun Wu

PS:
Kumi, you are simply to good for this world...would this be a suitable strategy for you now with me asking questions about your past?